What are the most common or easy-to-find vegetarian beers?

Question

I know Grolsch is, and I think Heineken is vegetarian, but what others can you say are vegetarian? There is no definitive collection.

Often, beers use Isinglass to speed up beer refinement. Isinglass is the swimbladder from fish, which is an animal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isinglass

Answer 1

Isinglass is used as a clarifying agent at the end of the fermentation process. In fact usually it's the last step in the process, apart from bottling or canning, or putting into barrels of course.

Unfortunately, as I'm sure you're aware, breweries are not required to list Isinglass as an ingredient as it's not actually usually in the beer at the end of the process, even though it is sometimes used during the process. If you are a vegetarien, then technically you are not eating any part of any animal by drinking beer that was clarified using Isinglass as there's none left in it at the end of the process.

Isinglass is most commonly used in the production of cask conditioned beers. In other words - real ales. Beers that go into kegs, & bottles are not usually clarified with Isinglass. However, there are no guarantees as they will occasionally use it even for these, in attempts to repair bad batches where the yeast hasn't naturally settled to the base of the storage tank, and the sediment is harder to filter without Isinglass.

I do happen to know though that the following beers definitely don't ever use Isinglass, and are suitable for vegetarians:

Young's Pilsner Lager
Young's Export Lager
Shepherd Neame Spitfire Premium Kentish Strong Ale (when bottled)
Shepherd Neame Bishop's Finger (when bottled)
Rolling Rock
Peroni
Nastro Azzurro
Michelob Light and Ultra
Hoegaarden
Budweiser
Carlsberg - I think its even Vegan friendly

You're also Ok with Heineken, I think it's another that's Vegan friendly.


There's a much more comprehensive list here covering almost any alcoholic drink imaginable, categorised by whether it's veggie friendly or not:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geraint.bevan/Vegetarian_beers.html

PS. If you like my answer best, don't forget to vote it as your favourite ;)

Answer 2

First of all, good on you for really wanting to pay attention to all of the details.

Especially in an area that is such a mine-filed as alcohol.... In the the UK the Co-Op is pretty good at it's labeling - never more difficult - or crucial - than when it comes to Wine & beer.... check their labels.

Tesco is getting there, but is not quite as useful.

The best bet is through the Vegetarian Society, who list 'approved' food-stuffs.

Here is their list for beer, Lager & cider

Answer 3

Thanks goodness for "gsp100677"....a great answer so I won't bother adding to it.

If the rest of you don't know whats in beer why did you answer ??? eh ???

If you "there are no fish in beer" person wants to go on the Bass tour they will show you a swim bladder of a sturgeon fish, just before they throw it into the VAT.

Answer 4

go to the bottom of the wikipedia link you posted and there is an external link for a listing of vegetarian beers

Answer 5

Beer is made from four things. Hops, Malted Grains, water and yeast. I don't know where you live, but if "fish" oils or the like are in your beer. Move as far away as you can.

Answer 6

There isn't meat in any of the beers I've heard of so I'd have to say they're all vegitarian.

Answer 7

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geraint.bevan/Vegetarian_beers.html

Youre welcome.

I had no idea some beers were not vegetarian. Is there some kind of meat in beer?

Answer 8

Yeah i know a beer that is veggie, umm all of them!!!
Their is no animal produce in the making of beer, it is all mineral. so dont fret over it. =]

Answer 9

Isn't all beer vegetarian as there is no meat in it.

Answer 10

um as far as i know there is no meat in beer